Double Bass New to 18 piece Swing Band - Combo Amp not quite keeping up... any suggestions?

DanL

DanL

Jul 5, 2016
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Ohio
#1
Thanks to all in advance.
I have recently started playing with an 18 piece swing band.
I'm playing on my 150 year old German bass with the David Gage copper head realist pickup.
I have been alternating between my trusty early 90's SWR Baby Blue and my equally vintage GK200MB combo amps at rehearsals.
And for rehearsals, these have been fine.
However, last night playing in a high school auditorium my GK was barely keeping up with the rest of the band.
I pretty much had it set on "11" all night... and I was definitely struggling some against the dreaded feedback monster a bit...
Does anyone have any helpful hints based on experience on how I might tweak my rig for these larger venues?
Thanks!! - Dan
 
#2
A preamp with a high pass filter and/or a notch filter is invaluable for controlling feedback; I use a Fishman Stage Platinum, but there are many others that will do the trick. Fdeck is a high pass filter (HPF).
You can use a magnetic pickup, which is less susceptible to feedback because it picks up metal string vibrations rather than body vibrations. I used a Biesele model, which could blend its signal with a piezo signal, but there are others, including some very old designs.
If your amp will run it, an extension speaker (of proper ohms) on the other side of the drummer can be very helpful.
In a really loud situation I have used strips of foam rubber in the f holes; worked when nothing else did.
 
#3
old spice said:
A preamp with a high pass filter and/or a notch filter is invaluable for controlling feedback; I use a Fishman Stage Platinum, but there are many others that will do the trick. Fdeck is a high pass filter (HPF).
You can use a magnetic pickup, which is less susceptible to feedback because it picks up metal string vibrations rather than body vibrations. I used a Biesele model, which could blend its signal with a piezo signal, but there are others, including some very old designs.
If your amp will run it, an extension speaker (of proper ohms) on the other side of the drummer can be very helpful.
In a really loud situation I have used strips of foam rubber in the f holes; worked when nothing else did.
Click to expand...

Thanks! - I do have an Fdeck HFP... I'll have to try using it more faithfully... I did not have in my signal chain last night...
 
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#4
The HPF often has the side effect of cutting volume as it removes bass frequencies, so do consider that extension speaker. They can add 25%, 50% or more to available amp wattage. Putting it far away from you helps avoid feedback, too.
(I like to ask the trumpets or whoever it is if it's ok, and to let me know if it bothers them. It usually doesn't.)
One more thing: to decrease boominess, I avoid putting my amp or cabinet directly on a low folding stage; I put it on the floor or on a chair.
 
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#5
old spice said:
The HPF often has the side effect of cutting volume as it removes bass frequencies, so do consider that extension speaker. They can add 25%, 50% or more to available amp wattage. Putting it far away from you helps avoid feedback, too.
(I like to ask the trumpets or whoever it is if it's ok, and to let me know if it bothers them. It usually doesn't.)
One more thing: to decrease boominess, I avoid putting my amp or cabinet directly on a low folding stage; I put it on the floor or on a chair.
Click to expand...
Thanks! Yes this was a stage with a wooden floor - I'm pretty sure it was hollow underneath the stage too... and I did have my trusty old GK200mb on the floor... I'll try the putting it on a chair recommendation next time... and I think I'll start shopping for a light weight ext cab... ;) Thanks again!!
 
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#10
I've found that a 1x12 combo is sufficient to keep up with a big band, even when playing in large rooms. Things that might bury you are a really loud drummer and overcompensating horns. I'm kind of surprised your 200MB is having trouble getting you in the mix. My GK MB112 combo has been enough and at only half volume. I do recommend getting the amp off the ground, might help project over the band.
 
#11
Seanto said:
I do recommend getting the amp off the ground, might help project over the band.
Click to expand...

Putting my cab on a chair made a *huge* difference in my ability to project clearly behind 3 rows of enthusiastic horn players. :) :)

It's clearer for the audience, but also clearer for the band too... and I am generally able to turn the volume down a notch or two... so less prone to feedback as well. Win win win. :)
 
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#13
DanL said:
Thanks to all in advance.
I have recently started playing with an 18 piece swing band.
I'm playing on my 150 year old German bass with the David Gage copper head realist pickup.
I have been alternating between my trusty early 90's SWR Baby Blue and my equally vintage GK200MB combo amps at rehearsals.
And for rehearsals, these have been fine.
However, last night playing in a high school auditorium my GK was barely keeping up with the rest of the band.
I pretty much had it set on
I
Click to expand...
DanL said:
Thanks to all in advance.
I have recently started playing with an 18 piece swing band.
I'm playing on my 150 year old German bass with the David Gage copper head realist pickup.
I have been alternating between my trusty early 90's SWR Baby Blue and my equally vintage GK200MB combo amps at rehearsals.
And for rehearsals, these have been fine.
However, last night playing in a high school auditorium my GK was barely keeping up with the rest of the band.
I pretty much had it set on "11" all night... and I was definitely struggling some against the dreaded feedback monster a bit...
Does anyone have any helpful hints based on experience on how I might tweak my rig for these larger venues?
Thanks!! - Dan
Click to expand...

Hello DanL-& everyone else.
I’ve used & played through many different amp setups though the years, but do agree that setting the amp up for you to hear it will help & alleviate some problems with you not hearing yourself & forcing the amp & speaker/cab to work harder than necessary.
Obviously, you need a powerful enough amp/ speaker with plenty of headroom to get a quality tone & avoid distortion, especially the necessity to Pizz and play Arco and get a quality tone.
Lately, for Big Band & louder Jazz combo gigs,(my basses all have an Underwood PU) I use a GKMB500 amp with a Markbass 15” or a Markbass 2 10” cab.
I also own other amp heads & cabs, but have the best tone and enough power with this setup.
For EQing the UB, learn to use the amp Contour/ Tone Shaper knob, back off of the amp midrange-blend the best mix of bass, mid & treble, avoiding a boomy or trebly “ Electric Bass” tone, with a bit of mids, depending on the room, distance from you, etc.
I always try to get a clear and natural tone, in spite of the volume necessary to cut & play with a loud band-no matter the instrumentation.
Consider getting an EQ pedal if you are not happy with using only your amp EQ, or continue to have issues with feedback, volume or dialing in a good tone.
Hope that helps a bit. Good luck.
 
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#15
If you're looking to avoid buying a third amp, going with an "improved" version of what you've already got, I'd say buy one of the GK extension cabs designed for the GK200MB. It's the Gallien Krueger 112-MBX MicroBass Extension Speaker Cabinet 12". These cabs, while being from the Stone Age, are light, small and pair well with your amp. They sound good. As noted above, speaker placement is important and with two speakers, you have more coverage options. The extension cab can really make a difference on a gig like the one you describe.

Remember also that your amp has an XLR DI out in the back that you can run to the console, have it come up in a monitor feed, in the mains, or both.

Here's a link to the GK cab on Reverb; Gallien Krueger 112-MBX MicroBass Extension Speaker Cabinet 12"

Here's a link to one on Musicians Friend; http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ampl...8455983-sku^482515000000000@ADL4MF-adType^PLA
 
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#17
Thanks to all for your insight and experience... I'm sure getting my little GK200MB off the floor will help and I am starting to look at extension cabs... a 112 most likely and it will have to be an 8 ohm cab...
 
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